Cleaning device for fuses and fuse holders



y 1949- v A. J. PARKER 2,471,236

CLEANING DEVICE FOR FUSES AND FUSE HOLDERS Filed Dec 7,' 1945 IN V ENTOR.

421m J. Par/667;

Patented May 24, 1949 CLEANING DEVICE FOR FUSES AND FUSE HOLDERS AllenJ. Parker, West Palm Beach, Fla. Application December 7, 1945, SerialNo. 633,574

.3 Claims.

This invention relates to an improvement in cleaning devices and hasparticular reference to a device for removing and cleaning electricfuses and fuse holders.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for quicklyand conveniently removing a fuse from its terminal holder in a mannerthat will avoid breakage ofthe fuse or injury of the fuse holder.

A further object of the invention resides in means associated with thedevice for quickly and efficiently cleaning the terminals of the fuseholder and then the opposite ends of thefuse.

Another object of the invention resides in the extreme simplicity of thedevice, is strong, durable and highly eflicient in use.

Other important objects and advantages of the invention will presentthemselves during the course of the following description, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device with a fuse and fuse holderto be cleaned,

Figure 2 is a face view of the device,

Figure 3 is an end view thereof,

Figure 4 is a face view of the device, shown in the position for removalof the fuse,

Figure 5 is an inverted face view illustrating the method of cleaningthe fuse ends,

Figure 6 is a. face view, partly in section of a slightly modified formof the invention, and

Figure 7 is a vertical section taken on line 7-7 of Figure 6.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like partsthroughout, the numeral 5 designates a fiat, preferably metal shankportion, provided at one end with a tubular head 6. Positioned in thetubular head 6 and extending therebeyond an equal distance on eitherside, is a cylindrical cleaning element 1, preferably formed of metaland having its circumferential surfaces serrated or roughened forproviding an abrasive surface to clean the fuse terminals 8 of a fuseblock 9. The opposite end of the shank 5 terminates in a hookedextension I 0 having its inner and concave surface provided with asuitable abrasive II of any desired form. The abrasive I i may beomitted and the inner surface of the hook roughened by serrating. Thehook portion In is formed slightly wider than the shank 5, for a purposeto be presently explained. The terminals 8 are normally adapted tosupport a conventional fuse, having a glass body portion l2 and metallicferrules l3, the ferrules l3 seating in the terminals 8 as is customary.

In the use of the device, it being assumed that 2 1 the terminals 8 andferrules l3 have become corroded and interrupt the flow of electricalcurrent therethrough, the hook in is engaged beneath the body l2 of thefuse, as shown in Figure ,4 and pulled upward, lifting the fuse from theterminals. The width of the hooked end In is substantially that of theglass body l2 and the lifting action exerts an even pressure throughoutthe length of the glass, thereby avoiding an uneven pressure with itsfrequent fracturing of the glass. This even Withdrawing pressure assuresthe removal of the fuse without damage. After the fuse has been removed,the device is inverted and the cleaning element I forced into the fuseterminals. Rocking of the device back and forth completely cleans allforeign deposits from the contact surfaces of the terminals. After theterminals have been cleaned, the device is'removed and inverted, as inFigure 5 and the ends of the fuse are alternately inserted against theabrasive II and rotated thereagainst by hand until all foreign matterhas been removed. 7

The structure as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 is identical in shapeand size to that first described and comprises a shank 5, head 6 andoppositely extending cylindrical cleaners l. The body 5 terminates atits opposite end in the hook ID, as before. In this form of theinvention, the shank 5, head 6, cleaners 1 and hook I 0 are formed as anintegral structure, preferably of a molded substance, such as plasticand the cleaners 1 have their surfaces coated in any convenient mannerwith an abrasive substance, such as Carborundum. Since most of theconventional plastics are of a dielectric nature, such an article aidsin preventing accidental shock when used around fuse blocks. The innersurface of the hook I0 is likewise coated with an abrasive. The use ofthis form of the invention is identical with that first described. Inthe first form of the invention, the cleaner 1 is engaged in the head 6in a manner to hold it against turning and disengagement, either by aforce fit or by the use of a suitable set screw, not shown.

It will be seen from the foregoing that an extremely simple andeffective device has been provided for efiiciently cleaning the fuseends and fuse terminals of corrosive deposits. The device lends itselfto any conventional fuse block and the method of removing the fuse isespecially convenient, since in many cases the fuse blocks are placed inmore or less difficult spots that make it difficult to remove the fusewithout injury to both the fuse and the fuse holder. The device mayobviously be made in varying sizes to suit the particular type of fuseto be cleaned,

may be grasped and pulled upon after hook In has been engaged about thefuse to be removed,

as in Fig. 4. The hook 101m turn serves as a v finger grasp when theends I are to be oscillated in the corroded terminals. dimensioned andprovided internally with an abrading surface, to cause it to function asshown in Fig. 5.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the preciseform shown, but that it includes within its purview, whatever changesfairly come Within'eit'her'the terms or the scope of the appendedclaims.

Having described the invention, claimed is 1. A device for removingcartridge type fuses from their fuseblock terminals-and for cleaningsaid terminals; consisting of rigid member of general F-shapecomprisinga shank 'anda-transverse-head which lie substantially'at rightangles to 'each other the opposite ends of the head beingof'cylind'rical form and projecting-substantiallyequidistantly beyondtheshank and being roughenedto constitute abrasive-elements dimenwhat lSsioned to abrasively'engage within the terminals I of a; fuse block; theterminal end' of the shank being curved forwardly to form a hook-likememe ber extending across thefree end or said shank, 'saidhook-likemember constituting a finger grasp by which the cylindrical roughenedends of the head may be rocked back and forth within, the terminals to,cleanthe same, said'hook-like member beingdimensioned to engage about,the body ofa cartridge fuse to pull the same out of its fuse blockterminals when the device is.inverted andtheheadis grasped as a handleandpull'ed outwardly and away from said fuse block.

'21 A device for removing cartridge typefuses from their fuse blockterminals and for cleaning'saidterminals, consisting of arigid member.of general'T-shape comprising a shank anda transverse head whichiiesubstantially at rightangles to each other the opposite endsoftheheadbeing of cylindrical form, and projecting substantiallyequidistantly beyond the shank and, being Further this hook. is,

roughened to constitute abrasive elements dimensioned to abrasivelyengage within the terminals of a fuse block, the terminal end of theshank being curved forwardly to form a hook-like member extending acrossthe free end of said shank, said hook-like member constituting a fingergrasp by which the cylindrical roughened ends of the head may be rockedback and forth within the. terminals to clean the same, said hook-likemember being dimensioned to engage about the body of a cartridge fuse topull the same out of its fuse block terminals when the device isinverted and the head is grasped as a handle and pulled outwardly andaway from said fuse block, the concave face of said hook-like memberbeing roughened to provide an abrasive surface and" dimensioned toreceive the ends of fusesto, be cleaned.

3. A device for removing cartridge type fuses from their fuse blockterminals and for cleanin said terminals, consisting of a rigid memberof general F -shape comprising a shank and a transverse head which liesubstantially at right angles to each other the opposite ends of thehead being of cylindrical form and projecting substantiallyequidistantly beyond the shank and beingroughened toconstitute abrasiveelements dimensioned to-abrasively engage within the terminals of a fuseblock, the terminal end of the shank beingcurved forwardly to form ahooklike'member extending across the free end of said shank, saidhook-likemember constituting a finger'grasp by which the cylindricalroughened ends of the head may be 1 rocked; back and.v forth within theterminals to clean the same, said hook-like member being dimensioned toengage about the body of a cartridge fuse to pull the same out of itsfuse block terminals when the device is inverted andthe head is graspedas a handle andpulled" outwardly and'away from said fuse block, thewidth of said 'hook-like-member being greater. than the: width of theshank at the junction of the latter with the transverse head.

ALLEN- J; PARKER,

REFERENEES. GIT-ED The following references are of record in the ofthis; patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,200,089- Dooley Oct. 3; 19161952,96 1 Stafiord Jan. 8, 1918 1 ,759,739 Ferris May 20, 193.0

